The journey of Spotswood over the mountains in 1716 is sometimes called the “Tramontane Expedition;” it was accomplished between Aug.
As however it did not rain, we started on Saturday, in hopes of a change for the better, as people said a strong tramontane was a very unusual thing in April, and occurred only in December or January, and could not therefore last.
The people there said they never remembered such a Tramontane (north-wind) except in December or January.
Tramontane Perdre la tramontane = Not to know which way to turn; To lose one’s head.
Tramontane is derived from the Italian tramontana, and originally meant the pole-star, which was the star seen from the Mediterranean across the mountains (the Alps).
At Jacksonville I tarried only a few days; but during that short period I met with a few things of tramontane origin, strange enough to my Yankee notions.
Spotswood instituted the Tramontane Order for this purpose; but it appears to have soon fallen through.
Such was the school in which the tramontane population were to be moulded and trained, civilizing the wilderness, and defending themselves against the savages.
Early in April, 1756, another Indian irruption, led on by the French, spread consternation in the tramontane country, and threatened to exterminate the inhabitants.
The glowing reports of the charms of the tramontane country induced other pioneers to plant themselves in that wild, picturesque region.
He also failed in an effort to obtain from the government compensation for his companions in the Tramontane exploration.
The tramontane concerns of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company were managed by two resident partners, Fitzpatrick and Bridger; those of the American Fur Company, by Vanderburgh and Dripps.
One of the first to revive thesetramontane expeditions was General Ashley, of Missouri, a man whose courage and achievements in the prosecution of his enterprises have rendered him famous in the Far West.
